Matt McQuillan has died at the age of 45.
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The death of the former PGA golfer was announced by the league and reported by PEOPLE. He died in a hospital in Kingston, Ontario, on Wednesday, Aug. 5. His cause of death was not immediately known.
Who Was Matt McQuillan?
At the age of 10, McQuillan's father introduced him to sport of golf. He would go on to win several Canadian junior championships. He then played for Oklahoma State and Georgia before turning pro in 2003.
But it took seven years for McQuillan to reach the PGA. He spent numerous years on the developmental circuit, including the Canadian Tour, which is now part of PGA Tour Americas.
After winning the 2005 TELUS Edmonton Open, McQuillan took time off the links and worked as a bartender. He eventually returned to the sport he loved.
The Canadian golfer, known to friends as "Matty," then received his PGA Tour card in 2010. During the 2011 season, he made the cut in nine of the 32 events he played in. His best finish was a tie for third at the John Deere Classic.
McQuillan would finish in the top 10 two more times. He tied for sixth at the Reno-Tahoe Open. The golfer would then finish seventh at the Frys.com Open. He reached 145th in the FedExCup standings, a career-best.
Tributes Have Been Coming in for the Golfer
After his years in the PGA, McQuillan worked as a golf coach in Kingston. Upon the news of his death. friends and family have been paying tribute to the beloved golfer.
McQuillan's obituary stated he "was a respected golfer, devoted son, hilarious brother, and friend."
It added, "Matt developed lifelong friendships while mentoring anyone who loved the game of golf. He will be deeply missed by many and his spirit, love and compassion will be remembered every day. Rest easy, Matty. We love you."
